Post Concussion Symptom Scale May Be Limited In Identifying Pediatric Patients’ Vision Problems, Study Suggests.
Healio (8/2, Sutton) reports a new retrospective study of 275 pediatric patients in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s subspecialty concussion program published in Optometry and Vision Science “determined that the Post Concussion Symptom Scale may be limited in identifying pediatric patients with vision problems after concussion.” In light of their conclusions, researchers said doctors caring for children suffering from a concussion should recognize near point of convergence as a “diagnostic entity and understand its implications for return-to-learn to best support children as they re-enter the academic setting after a concussion.”
Near point of convergence, or NPC, is part of a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. Remember to share any new or previous eye trauma or head injury information with your eye doctor. Don’t wait until your annual eye exam to have this looked at! An immediate dilated pupil exam is recommended after any eye or head injury to not only measure vision function, but also to ensure that internal eye injuries, such as a retinal tear, haven’t occurred. If you or your child has suffered from an injury and a reduced NPC is found, further evaluation and treatment can be done.
Wear your sports glasses! Protective impact resistant sports eye wear can reduce the incidence of eye injuries by 90%. Fashion frames can break on impact and allow injuries to the eye. Ask your optometrist or optician for eye wear recommendations for your sports and activity level, because polycarbonate lenses alone do not prevent all injuries.